The DVB Project, the international industry-led consortium that designs open technical specifications for digital media delivery, has a new chair.
Remo Vogel, responsible for the strategic development of distribution technology for Rundfunk Berlin Brandenburg (rbb) – part of the ARD network of public service media organisations in Germany – was elected to the role today by the DVB Steering Board. He takes over from Peter MacAvock who, on behalf of the EBU, had chaired the organisation since 2016.
At rbb, Vogel is currently focused on DVB-I technology, referring to the standard for internet-centric discovery of television services. He leads the award-winning German DVB-I Pilot and co-chairs both the EBU TV Platforms group and the DVB-I task force within German industry association Deutsche TV-Plattform.
“I believe strongly in the continued value of DVB’s work. With all the hype around streaming platforms, extended realities and AI-generated content, we sometimes forget that people, in great numbers, simply love TV,” Vogel commented. “DVB is all about pushing live video to the viewers, whether via broadcast or over broadband networks. The technology will continue to evolve, but what doesn’t change is the fact that both consumers and the industry benefit from horizontal markets based on open standards.”
Outgoing chair, Peter MacAvock, said: “Around 95% of ARD’s linear content is delivered over DVB networks. Remo’s new central role in the DVB Project is an important statement to the industry. He will bring much-needed innovation as the organisation enters a new phase.”
DVB Head of Technology Emily Dubs commented: “I’m very much looking forward to working closely with Remo in the years ahead. I’m confident that he will guide DVB in refining its scope so that we can better help our members and the wider industry succeed with their business goals.”
Vogel has been with rbb since 2008, managing web and metadata projects. He played a key role in expanding the ARD Mediathek into a multi-tenant system, in collaboration with SWR, a crucial step to becoming Germany’s largest media library. He also initiated and managed the rollout of a modern OTT production and delivery infrastructure for live and VOD services at rbb.
Vogel’s expertise in hybrid broadcast and broadband technologies for television and radio grew through his involvement in EU research projects. Since 2020, he has been part of the newly established ARD Competence Centre for HbbTV and Platforms, which took over DVB and HbbTV standardisation activities from the discontinued German broadcast technology institute IRT.
